The Tennessee Supreme Court ruled unanimously today that a defibrillator implanted in Byron Black’s chest does not have to be deactivated before the state executes him next week. The Nashville Banner reports that the decision reverses an opinion from Davidson County Chancellor Russell Perkins that directed the state to disable the device. Perkins issued that order after hearing from medical professionals that the device could put Black at risk of a prolonged and torturous death. The state appealed that ruling to the high court, arguing it could not deactivate Black’s defibrillator on the day of the execution, and asking whether it could be done the day before. The justices said that because Black would not agree to that timeframe, the lower court order was operating “effectively and practically” as a stay of its execution order, which a trial court does not have the authority to “stay, modify or condition.” The court did note at the end of the opinion though that nothing in its decision prevents the parties from reaching an agreement on deactivation of the device. The decision comes after news that Nashville General Hospital had not agreed to perform the procedure, according to The Tennessean. Black’s lawyers continue to pursue other remedies, calling on Gov. Bill Lee to halt the execution and asking the U.S. Supreme Court for a stay.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved 728 applications for a total of nearly $5.2 million in disaster assistance for Tennesseans affected by severe storms and flooding in April. This includes $2.8 million in housing assistance and $2.3 million in assistance for other needs, according to Tennessee Lookout. Individuals have until Aug. 19 to apply. The agency also recently announced that is preparing to close three of its Disaster Recovery Centers, which help disaster victims with aid applications and provide connections to other resources. Centers in Dyer, McNairy and Montgomery counties will close at 6 p.m. on Aug. 1. Centers in Hardeman and Obion counties will remain open. More information about available resources can be found on FEMA’s website.

Washington County lawyer Stephen Thomas Russell Martin was reinstated to the practice of law on July 23. The Tennessee Supreme Court reports that Martin was placed on inactive status more than five years ago, on Dec. 20, 2013, and has satisfied all outstanding requirements for reinstatement.

Texas lawyer Chasity Halford Balfour was reinstated to the practice of law in Tennessee on July 30. The Tennessee Supreme Court reports that she was placed on inactive status more than five years ago, on April 1, 2011, but now has satisfied all outstanding requirements for reinstatement.

William “Bill” Ray Martin, age 83, died April 20. A graduate of Memphis State University, Martin became an attorney in 1966 and moved to Lexington to practice law with his wife Pennie. He worked in private practice for many years and later joined the 26th Judicial District as an assistant district attorney in Henderson County until his retirement. In that role, he worked closely with the Carl Perkins Center and supported efforts to help local children and families. He also served as chair of the Henderson County Election Commission. Funeral services were held in April with burial at Mt. Moriah Cemetery in Reagan. Memorial donations may be made to Grace Methodist Church, 89 Natchez Trace Drive, Lexington, TN 38351; St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105; or the Carl Perkins Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse, P.O. Box 447, Jackson, TN 38302.

The Davidson County Circuit Court will hold a portrait unveiling for the late Judge Philip Smith, who presided over the 4th Circuit Court for 13 years. The event will take place on Aug. 14 at 2 p.m. CDT in Courtroom 607 at the Historic Metro Courthouse, 1 Public Square, Nashville 37201. A reception will follow. View the invitation.

The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights on July 18 approved new appointments to the Tennessee State Advisory Committee. The commission maintains advisory committees in each state, which are tasked with conducting civil rights studies specific to that area and making recommendations to the commission. Brandon Smith has been named chair of the Tennessee committee. Other members include: Nicholas Barry, Gale Jones Carson, Larry Crain, Luke Cymbal, Chicoya Smith Gallman, Kathleen Harms, William Terry Ladd III, William Morgan Denise Smith-Martinez, Kyontha Nelson, Muriel Malone Nolen, Kymberly Whitaker and Stelle Marie Yarbrough. Read more in a release from the commission.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is preparing to shut down seven major investigations into alleged housing discrimination and segregation across the South and Midwest, including some in which the agency had already found civil rights violations, The Commercial Appeal reports. In Memphis, the investigation being shuttered centered on claims that the city and Memphis Light, Gas and Water coerced residents of a poor Black neighborhood to sell their homes to make way for a new utility facility. Read the complaint filed by a city resident. HUD says the moves come in response to a  presidential executive order eliminating federal enforcement of “disparate-impact liability." According to a memo from the department, HUD no longer will "interpret environmental impacts as violations of fair housing law absent a showing of intentional discrimination.”

An undisclosed number of Knoxville firefighters are under investigation after crews pronounced a woman dead, but a medical examiner later found signs of life and revived her. The Knoxville Fire Department is conducting an internal investigation and firefighters involved have been placed on administrative duty, Knox News reports. The incident occurred last week after the Knoxville Police Department responded to a call about an unresponsive woman. Firefighters pronounced the woman dead shortly after she was found. When examiners from the Knox County Regional Forensic Center arrived, a death investigator observed signs of life, administered Narcan and performed CPR. The woman was then transported to a hospital. Her family has since contacted the investigator to report she is improving. Firefighters involved will remain on paid administrative duty pending the outcome of the investigation.

Former Tennessee state representative Jeremy Durham has been sentenced after being found guilty on multiple charges according to NewsChannel 5. He received a one-year jail sentence with all but seven days suspended, one year of probation, a $350 fine and a one-year suspension of his driver’s license. Durham was convicted in May on five of six charges, including two counts of driving under the influence, reckless endangerment, resisting arrest and unlawful use of drug paraphernalia. The charges stemmed from a crash in downtown Nashville in which Durham sideswiped another vehicle. The victim testified he experienced whiplash from the incident and missed two weeks of work as a result. It was Durham’s second DUI offense in less than two years. He was expelled from the legislature in 2016 following an investigation that found he had sent inappropriate text messages to several women.